In an urgent plea to political leaders, 27 organizations representing renters across England, including Generation Rent and Shelter, have issued an open letter calling for immediate action to tackle the ‘unprecedented crisis’ facing tenants.
The letter highlights the pervasive insecurity tenants endure, exacerbated by Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, and reveals that a quarter of renters have moved at least three times in the past five years. The signatories describe England’s private rented sector (PRS) as plagued by disrepair and poor conditions.
The organizations underscore the reluctance of 22% of PRS households to lodge complaints due to fear of eviction, with 46% of those who do complain receiving a Section 21 notice within six months.
Unmanageable Rent Increases
According to the letter, annual rent increases averaging 9% have rendered housing unaffordable for low-income families, leading to a rise in homelessness and placing additional strain on local councils.
“The failure to pass a Renters (Reform) Bill during the 2019-2024 Parliament was a huge disappointment,” the letter states. “The next set of homelessness statistics will likely show that 100,000 households have been made homeless due to Section 21 evictions – a shameful figure. Renters cannot afford more policy failures.”
Abolition of Section 21
The letter calls on the next government to abolish Section 21, including instances of unaffordable in-tenancy rent increases. It also demands longer notice periods for evictions and severe penalties for landlords who exploit the system.
Additionally, the letter advocates for the establishment of a national landlords’ register, which would include landlords’ contact details, past enforcement actions, eviction notices, and safety information such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). The register would also display current and previous rents charged for each property.
Reinstating Minimum EPC Standards
Despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap the requirement for rented homes to achieve a minimum EPC rating of C, the letter insists on reinstating this standard promptly. It also calls for increased funding for councils to enforce regulations and clamp down on illegal evictions.
The groups propose that tenants receive enhanced legal aid funding for timely advice and that eviction cases be heard by judges with the discretion to deny evictions when justified.
The letter concludes with a vision for the future, asserting that if these demands are met, renters will benefit from more affordable, secure, and high-quality housing, and will be treated with greater respect by landlords and the state.